Best iPhone games: shooters

The best iPhone apps are often the games. It's probably the largest category in the App Store and they're the one's that seem to come and go on our handsets more frequently than any others as each in turn is downloaded, mastered and discarded. The bottom line is that you're going to need a lot of them, which is why we at Pocket-lint have compiled a list of what we think are the very best iPhone games.

Naturally, that list is absolutely enormous so today is the turn of the best iPhone shooting games. Whether you're first person, top down or otherwise, if it belongs in a holster then this is where you'll find it.

Dead Space

At its core, Dead Space is a survival horror game, featuring cunning use of ambient darkness and enough cinematic jumps and bumps to make it possibly the scariest experience you could have with an iPhone or iPad. At times, it's so tense that it's hard to play it for a long period, and while EA Mobile advises that you wear headphones for the best experience, that may be just a step too far for some. As it is, those of a nervous disposition would be well advised to keep a spare pair of underwear to hand.

Graphically, Dead Space for all iOS devices is brilliant, with finely crafted tones and aesthetics, and is as close to a console experience as you can get. However, it's even better on the iPad 2, as the game is one of those that has been optimised for the new generation of Apple's tablet. The extra power of its new graphics processor is used to great effect on, er, great effects. If you're the proud owner of an iPad 2, this has to be on your essentials list. Read More

Gun Bros

When Pocket-lint first saw this we were reminded of one of the all-time classic top-down shooters, Chaos Engine. Gun Bros is similar in that you control one of two beefy dudes packing large weapons with the sole purpose of killing as many alien meanies as possible - in this case T.O.O.L. But there's another side to Gun Bros: as you progress you'll collect Xplodium which you can then use in exchange for cold-hard cash - there's also refinery upgrades which take longer to process the ore but hold greater return - this, along with XP, means you can level up and get hold of meatier weapons.

However, because of he free nature of the game, the maker, Glu, offers a way to get hold of the latest guns through in-app purchases. The system seems fair, offering up a balance between in-game achievement and buying your way to the top, as some equipment is locked and you still need to do the hard work. Read More

Rage HD

Playing a contestant in a bizarre splatter-gameshow, you are guided through some of the most gorgeous graphics we've seen on any handheld console or device. The stroll through each level's decaying landscape will frequently be interrupted by mutants and other deformed denizens, which you must dispatch with great prejudice. Essentially, that's it. Blast everything that moves, and some things that don't. Your feet will plod along to the next encounter as soon as you complete the last, and you need only worry about the shooting itself and moving your head about to target.

Certainly, Rage HD will win no prizes for depth of gameplay or, even, originality (think rail shooters such as House of the Dead, all the way back to Operation Wolf in the arcades), but it will be, and should be, lauded for its sense of fun and simply amazing graphics. Read More

Zombie Highway

Developed by Renderpaz, this game consists of driving down said zombie highway while dodging, and using, various upturned cars and lorries to knock zombies (who leap from the side of the road) off your car. Fortunately, there is a decent array of weapons as well, so you can mete out justice the good ol' fashioned way - with a shotgun.

There are three levels - Clasic, No Weapons and Hard - to keep you busy and a good variety of zombies on offer with varying degrees of toughness. Get as far down the highway as possible to earn weapons and be awarded with either the gold, silver or bronze award. A great game. Read More

Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus

On its launch, MC2 was, without doubt, the finest FPS that we'd seen on the iPhone 4, beating other Gameloft titles such as NOVA and Zombie Infection to that honour. The gameplay is simply terrific. It's just so smooth. In fact, it's so good that you often forget that you're playing on a small screen - it really does draw you in. We particularly love the kill streak features (and slick animation) and the super-slow effect you get when you kick down a door - which allows you to blow a few heads off before you're enemies have a chance to think.

Yeah sure, these are Modern Warfare 2 rip-offs, but they are so brilliantly done on the small screen that it doesn't seem to matter. The graphics and visuals are also stunning, especially on the iPhone 4's retina display. This really is a fantastic game, and an absolute steal at less than £4. Read More

Asteroids Gunner

Computer games come and go, but some, it would appear, were meant to stick around. Atari's Asteroids is a game that fits the "classic" moniker very well indeed. And now Atari's 1979 bestseller has been reinvented for the iPhone with the new name of Asteroids Gunner. Developed by Atari itself, the game brings a whole new set of powerups and abilities as well as multiple ships to use in your attempt to destroy all that come into your vicinity. A classy title if ever there was one, Asteroids Gunner sees you take control of a ship in order to blast your way through multiple levels filled with the eponymous objects.

Using the two virtual joysticks, which are accurate and responsive, you can manoeuvre your craft while controlling the direction of your fire. There are three galaxies in total with numerous levels in each. You have a choice of three ships to take on the hoards, though two are initially locked. Other upgrades are also available to buy between levels through the collection of crystals during gameplay. There's now also the ever-present in-app purchases which enable you to buy better upgrades than with just the crystals. An excellent addition to the Asteroid franchise. Read More

Max Payne Mobile

The full Max Payne download costs £1.99, fairly cheap for what is such a large amount of content. Graphically the game hasn't fared quite so well over the years, but it still plays just as brilliantly and the story is as fresh and as exciting as when we first played it many years ago.

Max Payne plays like a very speedy version of Gears of War. Lots of enemies on screen, a lot of bullets and the ability to dive in different directions while fighting. On top of this, you can slow down time by either standing still or diving. This makes it easier to hit enemies and is a must when using something like, say, the sniper rifle. Read More

Call of Duty: Black Ops Zombies

Based on Treyarch's console version and adapted by the folks at Ideaworks Game Studio, the FPS will see you blasting your way through hordes of the undead in single or multiplayer modes.

And it's multiplayer where the action is, which is fortunate as the game supports up to 4 players battling it out at any one time along with voice-chat to boot. There's only one map available at the moment, Kino der Toten, but more should follow as there will be free content updates coming.

Another nice addition is 50 levels of Dead-Ops Arcade, a top-down mini game found within the original console title.

Nova 2

N.O.V.A. 2 is the second instalment of what is, possibly, the best first person shooter Apple devices have seen to date.

The original N.O.V.A. (Near Orbit Vanguard Alliance) owed plenty to the Halo franchise, with a similar colour pallet and Spartan-like forces, but was a fine FPS in its own right. However, as good as it is, many felt that its linear and constrictive level lay-outs made it a touch claustrophobic.Not so with the sequel. Some of the levels feature wide, expansive play areas, with much of the action outside, allowing for a more free roaming style feel, and a heck of a lot more running about during big boss battles.

Not so with the sequel. Some of the levels feature wide, expansive play areas, with much of the action outside, allowing for a more free roaming style feel, and a heck of a lot more running about during big boss battles.

Doom Classic

What could be better than the original first person shooter on your iPhone. A gaming classic, translated well for touch controls, Doom on the iPhone is a must have download. Everything is there, including the still awesome sounding music.

The app has also been done up for Retina Display packing iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, meaning it looks particularly slick. At £2.99 it is a bit of a no brainer and has been an App Store classic for a good few years now.

Mass Effect Infiltrator

So where to begin with Infiltrator? The opening cinematic is fairly spectacular in typical Mass Effect style. This then leads on to a simple yet highly addictive iOS shooter along the lines of the console game itself. Things have, of course, been massively simplified because of a lack of physical controls but there is still quite a lot to get stuck into.

Your character, Ezno, as well as being able to blast his way through all sorts of conventional Mass Effect enemies, can also have parts of his skill tree upgraded. You can boost stuff like punch to make enemies fly into the air when you hit them, for example.

There is a basic cover mechanic which will automatically hug you to the environment, an up swipe causing you to jump over whatever is in your way. Aim is done by tapping on an enemy and the the reticule fine tuned using your right hand on the screen. It actually works really well and is one of the best ways we have seen shooting mechanics handled on a smartphone app. Read More

iTunes: Link

Price: £4.99

Rating: 4/5

Any other iPhone shooter apps you think we have missed? Let us know in the comments below ...

The baby of the Lint team, Hunter has been a tech fan since he bought his first MiniDisc..and what a waste of money that was. He began writing about electronics at the age of 16 and hasn't stopped since. Nowadays he fulfils his mobile phone and gaming obsession whilst attempting to distract people from his bizarre name. Regular meetings with the Gladiators crew see Hunter often returning to work battered and bruised. Considers himself a music obsessive, was once the most highly decorated scout in the country. Fan of trousers.